COMACC visits BAF

U.S. Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, spent Thanksgiving engaging with Airmen during his visit to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Nov. 27 and 28. It was his first visit to the base since assuming his position as the head of the Combat Air Forces.

Carlisle was briefed by Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 455 AEW commander, on current operations, mission capabilities and assets during his two-day orientation.

In addition to several other locations, Carlisle visited the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, where flightline defense procedures were demonstrated; the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, whose personnel spoke on the transition to Resolute Support and emerging capabilities; and the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, which demonstrated combat lockdown and defense actions.

At each work center, the general sought information from the Airmen who ensure mission-fulfillment on a day-to-day basis.

“I narrated a brief demonstration of the 455 ECS Force Protection plan,” said Senior Airman Amber Urbano, 455 ECS Communications Focal Point administrator. “My initial reaction to meeting General Carlisle was comparable to meeting a celebrity. However, as I spoke, it was easy to see that he was genuinely interested in hearing about how we facilitate the mission here. General Carlisle reinforced the fact that even as a senior airman, I am part of the bigger picture that allows the wheels to keep spinning.”

In honor of Thanksgiving, Carlisle dined with 455 AEW Airmen, taking the opportunity to deliver a message of gratitude.

“Today, on Thanksgiving, Americans across the U.S. are giving thanks to you,” Carlisle said. “You’re an amazing group of individuals and the sacrifices you make do not go unnoticed or unacknowledged. I know you don’t hear it enough, but never forget that you are deeply appreciated and invaluable to the cause of freedom.”

Carlisle accepted the ACC guidon from his predecessor, Gen. Michael Hostage, in November. As the commander of ACC, he is responsible for organizing, training, equipping and maintaining combat-ready forces for rapid redeployment and employment, while ensuring strategic air defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime defense.